If you can’t answer any of the above you may need to do some more thinking and/or have conversations with your community.

If you are considering applying for a grant give the grant contact a call and have a chat. This is great to establish a communication line with the funder to discuss your project early. When the receive the application they already have an understanding of what you want to do and why.

The takeaway list

Check your eligibility under the grants eligibility criteria

Follow the application process well, and have a good look to see what is required and if you are eligible

Know your organisation and who will be responsible for the grant and project management

Produce your evidence – up to date data that is relevant to your application

Tell the story about what you want to achieve and what are the outcomes if you get the money

Demonstrate support for your project through letters from your partners or supporters.

Match up – show the organisation how your project fits into their priorities as well – ring them up and have a chat if you don’t know

Clearly outline what you are going to do – usually under “aims” and “objectives’ of your project

Explain how you are going to plan you project

How you are going to measure how successful your project has been. It is important to work this out at the beginning of the project.